I'm an outdoors journalist – these are my 7 top picks from REI's Labor Day camping sale

Mountain Hardwear Lamina 30 Sleeping Bag: $210 $114.73 at REI
Save 45% If you're only getting one sleeping bag, a three-season bag like this is the way to go. The legendary Lamina 30 gets 5 stars from customers and features updated shell fabric and Temperlite insulation to deliver the same performance and durability but in a dramatically lighter weight than the previous model. This deal applies to the regular size in Bright Island Blue.

Rumpl NanoLoft Puffy Blanket: $180 $107.83 at REI
Save 40% I rarely go anywhere without my light and cozy Rumpl blanket, and REI customers agree, giving it 4.8 stars for performance. Made with a synthetic alternative to down, the Rumpl NanoLoft Puffy blanket traps warmth inside small pockets of air to efficiently preserve heat, regardless of conditions. It's a pricey piece of kit, but not with this healthy discount.

Therm-a-Rest ProLite Apex Sleeping Pad: $134.95 $191.19 at REI
Save 25% I've been camping with this pad for the last couple of years and I've never been comfier when sleeping on the ground. Pairing essential three-season comfort with lightweight packability, this self-inflating sleeping pad offers top-notch performance for backpacking.

NEMO Aurora 3-person Tent with footprint: $359.95 $232.73 at REI
Save 35% We all know that a two-person tent doesn't really have enough room for two, so if you're camping with a partner, get your hands on this top-rated three-person tent and you'll have plenty of room for sleeping, gear and even your canine companion. With an angular pattern reminiscent of mountainscapes and ideal for car camping but light enough for backpacking, the Aurora 3P tent is a versatile, inviting home for adventures.

Jetboil Sumo Cooking System: $179.95 $134.89 at REI
Save 25% Jetboil has made cooking and boiling in the backcountry faster than ever, and while they have deals on a few good models right now, this one gives you the most bang for your buck. The Sumo incorporates the all-weather Sol burner with the large-volume companion cup to meet your group cooking needs on backcountry trips.

Helinox Sunset Chair: $169.95 $127.39 at REI
Save 25% If you haven't tried a Helinox camping chair yet, you'll be amazed at how comfortable and stable these lightweight seats really are. Providing plenty of neck, head and back support outdoors, this Helinox Sunset chair ups your comfort and is easy to move from one great spot to another.

Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp: $49.95 $37.39 at REI
Save 25% A good headlamp is a must for any adventure, ensuring you can navigate, signal for help and rummage around in your tent after dark, and I love Black Diamond's reliable, rechargeable, robust Spot 400. With a bright 400-lumen beam, red light function and the ability to run alkaline or rechargeable batteries, the Spot 400 packs a whole lot into a small, mountain-worthy package.